Clamping device



Nov. 25, 1930.

F. OUDIN ET Al..

CLAMPING DEVI CE 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 30 .u.. .t Z x .t ..4 '40A 04. 1 vv. .l dil. 2. z.. o .aeqa 90000# t... 2....

Nov. 25, 1930. F. OUDI'N ET AL n CLAMPING DEVICE Filed April 30, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f 'UNI 'rss mun-mm1 FERDINAND OUDIN, or4 RIVDRSIDEQAND nnNJAivrrN HARVEY SKINNER, Aor BEWYN, ILLINOIS, nssrsNons ro Wnsrnnn ,nrncriarc corarnnmrnoenronn'rnn, OFNEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION or NEWYORK y j Y. Y

` cLAMrrNs Dnvren` replication ined April ed This invention relates to clampiing1` devices, and more particularly to ydevices for fasten ing Vstrands or cables to supports and to each other.

i The invention has for its principalobject the Aprovision of improved and readily adjustable clamping devices of simple and economical construction `for attaching strands or cables toa supporting-irameWoi-k and to each other.

^` :[n accordance With the above object. the Y ber to provide horizontal adjustment. .The vertical portions ofthe cooperatingY` members are provided with bifurcated ends Vhavin internal edge teeth for selective engagcinentby the edges of transverse 'slots in a previously installed clamping deviceto securevertical adjustment., A; similar three sided member may be employed forstartinn' the attachment of the cables to the supportingi framework.

. A more complete understanding of the invention will be had from the following detailed description, reference being; hadto the accompanying'drawings,wherein p Fig. 1 isa fragmentary vside elevational view, partly in sectionfof a` group of cables f shown `attached to a supporting frainrwmrk and to each other by means of clamping dei vices embodying` the features `of the invention,` v

Fig. '2 Vis 4an enlargedt ansve'rse section taken on line 22 olfv Fig. 1,1

Fig. 3 [anenlarged fragmentary vsec'- tion taken on line `34-3 of 1, showing a plurality of cables'clampedl together by means of thejimproved clamping devices.`

Fig. 4 an enlarged perspective vievv i of the clampingdevices shown in Eig; 3.V

Fig'. 5 is an enlarged perspective View of a and 2, the cable supporting fram consist of a pair cfspaced` parallel-bars or 192e. serial N6. 359,347.3.

two `sided clamping device embodying the in! vention,

Fig. an enlarged perspective fievv of a pair of intcrlocled tvvo `sided clamping devices shoWn attached to abase clamp, Fig. 7 is anend elevational vieiv of a pair of clamping-devices shovvn attached to each other and to a base clamp secured to a channel support, andVv i L i. f

Fig. 8 is anenlargged: perspective view lof a three,sidedclamning device embodyingv the` invention with! a two Vsided clampingdevice interloclred therewith;

Clamping` vdevices embodying` thefe'atnres of the invention mav be employed toadvanthe ca-bles of electrical conductors interconnec-ting` the electrical apparatus, toa supporting framework. `ils shownA in Figs. 1 vr-.orl'r may stringersl interconnected 'by a plurality of spaced cross-.straps glee to thechannels :16. lt Will be observed that the clamping devices supporting the first few layers 4of cables are attached to suitable base members or clamps secured at `predetermined positions alongb the` cross straps 16.1 Additional layers of cables are fastened to. the preceding layers by means of *cooperating clamping` devices which are attached tothe devicessupporting the preceding: layers.` i u 16, preferably formed ofi channel iron.` Thecables` are usually attached tothe framenorlrwith' their axes i parallel tothe stringere 15 and at right an- 1 a l tage in telephone exchanges for attaching 1 In its preferred foi-mythe improved clamping` device consists of flat strip material, preferably resilient `sheet metal,` formed `into a two sided `right angle member 20 (Fig. 5)

`adapted to `cooperate with a similar member to provide alu-shaped enclosureV (Figs. v6 and 8) for a group of' cables and formed with inea-ns for attaching the .enclosed' cables to a supporting` framework or to a 'previously supported group of cables( Each of the inem-V bers 2G comprises a horizontal portion 21 con` nectedjat one end to abifurcated vertical portion 22 having reduced" extremities or legs with a plurality of spaced transverse slots 25, 25 and terminates in a reduced portion 25 having an offset lip 27 for selective interlocking engagement with the transverse slots 25 of a cooperating similar device to provide horizontal adjustment for accommodating various numbers and sizes of cables. Spaced transverse slots 28, 2S are provided at the end of the horizontal port-ion adjoining the vertical portion for accommodating` the vertical legs 23 of a cooperating` similar device. The legs 23 are provided on their inside et ges with a series of project-ions or teeth 29 for selective engagement by the edges of the transverse slots 2S in the horizontal portion of a cooperating similar device to provide vertical adjustment for accommodating various numbers and sizes of cables. rlChis verti- ,al adjustability also provides a simple and etlicient means for accommodating slight variations in the dimensions of similar types or sizes of cables, such as may be caused by slight variations in the sizes of the composite conductors or by other variations encountered in commercial `manufacturing conditions. Furthermore, the clamping devices automatically adjust themselves to dimensional variations of the cables resulting from the compressing force of superimposed layers of cables.

rlhe horizontal portion 21 is longitudinally slotted. as indicated at 30, for the purpose of lending flexibility to the vertical legs 23. It will be observed, also, that the horizontal portion is provided with longitudinally extending depressed beads or ribs 3l, 3l which become embedded in the cables when the device is clamped in position, thereby preventing longitudinal displacement of the cables. The ribs 3l also serve to stiii'en the horizontal portion of the clamping device.

lVhen employing the clamping devices 2O for attaching a run or group of cables 32 (F ig. l) to a supporting framework, the clamping devices enclosing the first layers of cables are attached to suitable base clamps adapted to be secured to the framework, as hereinbefore described. As shown in Figs. l and 2, the clamping devices 2O enclosing the first three layers of cables 32 are attached to base clamps 34, 34 secured to the cross channels 16. The base clamp 34 may consist of fiat strip material, preferably sheet metal, formed into a three sided loop for engaging the web and sides of the channel and having one end thereof bent inwardly, as indicated at 35, for engaging the lower edge of a flange or side of the channel. the loop normally extends straight outwardly, as shown in dotted outline in Fig. 7, and is adapted t0 be bent inwardly and around the lower edge of the opposite side or flange of the channel. The top or horizontal portion of the base clamp 34 is formed with upwardly extending portion 37 terminating The other side of in an inverted U-shaped channel portion having spaced slots 39, 39 for accommodating the vertical legs 23 of a clamping device 20. The inner edges of the slots 39 are adapted to selectively engage the edge teeth 29 of the vertical legs 23 to provide vertical adjustment for accommodating various numbers and sizes of cables.

A three sided or substantially U-shapcd member 4.0 (Fig. 8), similar to the member 20, may be provided for attaching the first group of cables to the supporting framework. The member 40 comprises a flat horizontal portion 41 interconnecting a pair of bifurcated vertical end portions 42, 42 which terminate in reduced extremities 43, 43. The horizontal portion 4l is provided with a plurality of spaced transverse slots 45, 45 for selective interlocking engagement by the hori zontal portion of a two sided member 20, as shown in Fig. 8, to provide horizontal adjustment for accommodating various numbers and sizes of cables. Spaced transverse slots 4G, 46 are provided at the ends of thc horizontal portion 41 for accommodating the reduced vertical extremities of cooperatingl members enclosing additional cables or groups of cables. The reduced extremities 43 are provided on their inside edges with a series of spaced projections or teeth 48, 48 for selective engagement by a cooperating similar device or base member to provide vertical adjustment for accommodating various numbers and sizes of cables.

`When employing the improved clamping devices for attaching a run or group of cables 32 to a supporting framework, a pair of base clamps 34 are first clamped at predetermined positions along each or certain of the cross channels 16 and the cables are then arranged in horizontal layers along the cross channels in the spaces defined by the base clamps. U-shaped clamping members 40 are then placed around the cables and are pressed downward to firmly clamp the cables t0 the channels 16, the toothed extremities 43 of the clampingdevices extending into the slots 39 of the base clamps and automatically becoming interlocked therein, as hereinbeforc described. lf desired two sided clamping members 20, interlocked as shown in Fig. 6, may be employed in place of the U-shapcd clamping members 40 for attaching the first group of cables to the supporting framework. ln this manner, horizontal as well as vertical adjustment is obtained for acconnnodating various numbers and sizes of cables.

After the first group of cables is securely attached to the supporting framework, various numbers and sizes of additional cables or groups of cables may be readily attached to the framework and tothe previously attached cables by means of two sided clamping members 20. ln such instances, the horizontal portions 2l of the clamping members lil-5 terlocked with base clamps 34, as shown in 2() inteilocked With the horizontal portions `of previously installed clamping memi bers, and the vertical legs 23thereof are in- 2. Also, when desired, additional layers or groups of cables may be superimposed upon previously installed groups thereof and may be readilyand securely attached thereto by means ot clamping members 2OY and 40 adapted to interlock with previously installed and 40 are spaced-suiiiciently tostraddle the reduced horizontal portions 26 oi previously installed clamping members 20.

llhen attaching a plurality of cables to a` supporting framework it is sometimes de" sirable to interlock the cables atpositions Where it is inconvenient to attach them to the framework. Thus, forexamplmin the embodiment `ot the inventionillustrated in Fig. 1,it may be desirable to interlock the individual cables or groups of cablesat. aV

point intermediate thel cross channelsA 16. This maybe readily and convenientlyaccom- `in Fig 3, a plurality ofcables 32 are enu closed Within ka pairof cooperating oppo-V sitely disposed clamping members 40, one

with its reduced extremities 43 severedthere- .trom as indicated at 50 (Figs. 3 and 4). The

. clamping members are then pressed toward i 43 of the upper claii'iping member extending i into `the slots 46 of the loWer clamping mem` ber and automatically becoming interlocked therein in the manner hereinbefore described.

each `other to securely clamp the enclosed cables to each other, the toothed-extremities The projecting ends of the reducedextremities 430i the upper clamping member are Lbeiit `over the horizontal portion of the lower clamping ineinber as indicated at 51 (Figs.

3 and 4). )It desired, additional cables or.` groups of cables maybe attached to a pre-V viously `supported group thereof by means )ot cooperating,v oppositely disposed tivo sided clamping members 20, inter-locked as Y shown in Fig. `3, and attached to the clampl ing` members enclosingwthe'previously sup-4 ported group of cables. In this manner, the

` V.individual cables or groups of cables may -be i securely interlocked at positions Where it is inconvenient to attach them to the support# ing framework. l

It is to beunderstood that the embodiments ol:` the invention Vherein i illustrated andl dei scribed merelyreprese'nt several useful forms of the invention, which is capable'lof-numerlVhat is claimed is :r l 1. A clamping device comprising a two sided right angle member terminating in por-V ;terniinating in an offset lip vfor interlocking of Which is disposed in ari-inverted position tions for adj ustable interlocking engagement with cooperating portions of* another right 4anglemember;i Y Y `2. Arc'lamping devicecompijising a'two sided right' angleiiieinber consisting of laver? member, .the verticalportion also interlocking with such other members` i l r* 3. Acable clampingdevice comprisinga two sided" member having one side provided fing engagement* with thefslots in asimilar line of another member to `provide an ad-` `tical `portion and ahorizontalportion hav transverseslot andrterminating in an oii'set lip for interlocking engagement vvith y the slotin the horizontal portion Vof another y Vwith a pluralityot spaced"slotsn andternii` Vnating in an oiisetlip for selective interlo'cl- Vso niemberflior partiallyiencl-osing a plurality of cables and having means for adjustable interlocking engagement of bothsidestherel of With Q another member. plished by` means of" clamping devices ein-v1` bodying the vpresent `invention As shown 5. A cable clamping device `having sub`` staiitiallylat cable Aengaging` portion formed i with means `tor attachment to another mem? ber and provided witha transverse slot and engagement Withthe transverse slot of such stammbaf z i 6. A cable clamping-` dC-Yliaving subvidedA with means `for attachment" to anf` other member and a `plurality `of spaced transverse slots and terminating in `annoiftset lip for lselectii'le interlocking` `engagement` With the transverse slots ofsuchfother inem# ber to yprovide `horizontal adjustment."

i` 7. A cableclainping device consisting ot .flat strip material formed into a tWo .sided 4member having :portion iioi'med `with a "depressed rib for engaging `a cable and ter-` minating in a` portion" formed with means for ad]ustable interlocking engagement :with

another member. l

- SVA cable clamping deviceconsisting of "stantially flat cable engaging portion4 pro-U.

lim

fior

flat strip material formed into a twolsidedj` right `angle member comprising a horizontal i portion and a vertical portion, the licrizon-A tal portion having aplurality of spacedtrans` verse slots and terminating in: an onset lip for adjustable interlocking engagemeiit'ivith l the transverse slots "of another member to" provide an adjustable enclosure for accom-` modating various numbers and sizes of cables. Y

9. A cable clamping device consistingof@ ulat strip material formedinto `a two sided ous other applications Within the scope of the r i appended claims. y

transverse slots vterminating in an offset lipvfy i "iiii for selective interlocking engagement With the transverse slots of a second .member to provide horizontal adjustment, and the vertical portion being formed With means for adjustable interlocking engagement with a third member to provide vertical adjustment. i

10. A cable clamping device consisting of flat strip material formed into a tWo sided right angle member comprising a horizontal portion and a bifurcated vertical portion terminating in reduced extremities having a plurality of spaced projections, the horizontal portion having slots for accommodating the reduced extremities of a second member in such manner that the edges of the slots in the first member selectively engage the projections `on the reduced extremities of thefsecond member to provide vertical adjustment, and the horizontal portion having a reduced end portion provided With a plurality oi spaced transverse slots and terminating in an offset lip for selective interlocking engagement with the transverse slots of a third member to provide horizontal adjustment.

11. A cable clamping device consisting of flat strip material formed into a three sided. loop member comprising a horizontal portion interconnecting a pair-oit hifurcated vertical portions terminating in reduced extremities provided with a plurality of spaced internally projecting edge teeth, the horizontal portion having spaced slots at each end thereof for receiving the reduced extremities of a second member in such manner that the edges of the slots of the first member selectively engage the edge teeth on the reduced extremities of the second member to provide vertical adjustment, and the horizontal portion having a plurality of spaced transverse slots for selective interlocking engagement with another member to provide horizontal adjustment- In witness whereof, We hereunto subscribe our names this 19th day of April A. D., 1929.

FERDINAND OUDIN. BENJAMIN HARVEY SKINNER. 

